Chinese firms bid for Zimbabwe’s power expansion projects

Wednesday, 11 July 2012 11:00

The projects aim to add another 900 megawatts to Zimbabwe's national grid. (Image source: sxc.hu)Four Chinese power companies have submitted their bids for the Kariba South and Hwange Power stations’ expansion projects in Zimbabwe

The aim of the projects is to add another 900 megawatts (MW) to the national grid as the company intensifies its bid to meet the national peak demand of 2,200 MW.

Kariba and Hwange power stations currently have a capacity of 1,300 MW. The expansion of Kariba will add 300 MW, while Hwange will add another 600 MW, taking the national capacity to 2,200 MW.

Zimbabwe Power Company managing director, Noah Gwariro, said the company was already at the adjudication stage after the tenders closed for Kariba and Hwange projects respectively.

Gwariro added, “Three companies responded for the Hwange expansion, while one responded for Kariba. We are already at the adjudication stage which should take about two more months.”

Sino Hydro Corporation Ltd tendered for Kariba and Hwange expansion. The other two companies that tendered for Hwange are China Gezhouba Group Company Ltd and China Machinery Equipment Corporation.

The winning bidders for the two projects are expected to start construction early next year and the projects will take about four years to complete.

Gwariro said that some of the firms that had been shortlisted requested more time, a situation that resulted in them failing to meet the tender deadline.

Energy and power development minister, Elton Mangoma, said if the four companies failed to meet the required specifications, the power utility would consider private engagements. He added that one of the key objectives for the power utility was to find funding for the projects.